Henry Tyler scores drought-breaking century to put Ivanhoe in control

It had been more than a decade since Ivanhoe captain-coach Henry Tyler scored a century with a move to the top of the order bringing a breakthrough performance.

Ivanhoe captain-coach Henry Tyler (left) scored his maiden century for the club.

Henry Tyler’s century for Ivanhoe on Saturday was more than just a breakthrough performance.

The Saints’ captain-coach previous high score for the VSDCA club was 46.

In fact, it had been 13 years since he raised the bat for three figures, the last hundred coming in 2011-12 while playing for Banyule in the old Heidelberg District association.

Opening the batting, Tyler’s 110 came off 121 balls and included 18 boundaries.

After play he realised the knock meant a lot to not just him.

“It was nice to get a few messages from people who have been at the club a long time and you realise you making a few runs means a lot to the people that have supported you,” Tyler said.

“It’s been a while between drinks for me.

“It was good to finally get one on the board and to do it at home, in front of a few of the old boys, made it really special.

“It was a good chat with Brad Loveluck, I’ve always wanted to do what the team needs, which saw me bat a lot in the middle order.

“We had a good chat about two weeks ago and decided it was time I stepped up and take the challenge at the top of the order and lead from the front, rather than put other people first and be in a rebuild position.

“Brad will probably take a fair bit of credit.”

Tyler was the standout as Ivanhoe posted an imposing 302 all out against Balwyn at Ivanhoe Park.

However, it might not have happened without critical support from Mo Abbas (49), Troy Haynes (47) and Jon Kuch (36).

Mohammad Abbas has been a key inclusion for Ivanhoe. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Saints then claimed two quick wickets before stumps to leave the Tigers 2-7.

“There was some carry-on for sure (after the two wickets), there was a really good energy,” Tyler said.

“To feel that excitement, after the game we said regardless of the result it’s these days that are pretty special.

“It’s up to us now to get that validation with two good days of cricket and get the win.

“We were in a prickly position at 6-180 and at that stage we could have been all out 200, so for Troy and Jonny to take the score over 300, they’re the ones to put us in a really strong position.”

Balwyn had to face four tricky overs before stumps and Ivanhoe made the most of the opportunity.

Abbas removed Luke Vazquez for a 12-ball duck before Ed Withington bowled Tom Polkinghorne for six.

Dom Greene and captain Adi Narayana are both zero not out.

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A win would breath new life into Ivanhoe’s finals hopes as it sits 10th, 18 points adrift of sixth-placed Mt Waverley.

The Saints face Kew (home), Box Hill (home) and St Bernard’s (away) in the run home.

“We’re still alive in the season, we play clubs around us in Kew and Box Hill and if we can stay in the game then we can set up a grandstand finish against St Bernard’s to try and squeeze in (to finals),” Tyler said.

The club will play a T20 semi-final against Elsternwick on Tuesday night, while its Seconds, Thirds and Fourths are all in strong positions to play finals.